Canal boat holiday etiquette
Cheryl Howes of Kate Boats with the latest news from Drifters – a consortium of independent selfdrive hire boat companies set up to promote enjoyment of canal holidays.
THE narrowboat hire industry is acutely aware that hirers, especially first timers, can cause problems for other waterway users and residents.
All Drifters operators provide expert handover and tuition as part of their hire package. And all our personnel are accredited by British Marine for Hire Boat Instruction & Handover Procedures.
This summer, with the canals so busy, it’s even more important that everyone understands how to share the space and be kind. We make sure our hirers know to slow down when going past moored boats.
I tell people during handovers that if others shout at them for going too fast, they probably are!
We also ask people to share locks whenever possible and be considerate about noise levels at night.
We are aware that customers new to the canals have to take in a vast amount of information, and sometimes not everything is retained. Generally we find that experienced boaters will help those new to the canals and our customers are normally very grateful for that help.
As in any other walk of life, the minority sometimes spoil things for the many. But we know that most people want to do the right thing, and we are grateful to all the other boaters who help out hirers who are learning the ropes.
It’s so important to encourage people who are new to the waterways to get to grips with things so they enjoy their holiday and want to come back. Newcomers to boating are vital to the future of the hire boat industry, and the long-term sustainability of the canal network.